Promoter Eddie Hearn says he’d like for Terence Crawford to consider fighting Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis next if he’s victorious against Israil Madrimov and can’t get a fight against Canelo Alvarez.
(Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)
Ennis as the Best Alternative
Hearn feels Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) will still lose to WBA junior middleweight champion Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs), but if by chance he proves to be too good for him on Saturday night, he wants him to face the unbeaten ‘Boots’ Ennis.
Crawford won’t have a better option than Boots if Canelo refuses to fight him because none of the fighters at 154 are more popular than Ennis.
Terence will not move up to 175 to fight the winner of the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol or move down to 135 to fight Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis. Boots is all he’s got unless he’s worried about what could happen against the young talent.
Hearn’s Confidence in Madrimov
“If he can’t get Canelo, I think he should fight Boots Ennis, but I don’t believe he gets past Madrimov. We’ll see on Saturday,” said Eddie Hearn to the media about wanting Terence Crawford to fight Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis next if he’s victorious against Israil Madrimov on Saturday.
If Crawford can’t get the Canelo fight in early 2025, he’ll likely target WBC 154-lb champion Sebastian Fundora or a rematch with Errol Spence. Fundora and Spence are expected to fight in November or December later this year.
“When I look at Israil Madrimov, I see ice running through his veins, and if he doesn’t win on Saturday, it’s because Terence is better than him,” said Hearn. “But he [Madrimov] will not melt under pressure. He will not be intimidated.”
If Crawford can’t hurt Madrimov and knock him out within six rounds, he’ll be in for a grueling fight, and he’ll be forced to take a lot of heavy shots that he’s never taken before in his career.
None of the guys Crawford has fought during his 16-year career at 135, 140, or 147 had Madrimov’s power. Crawford knocked out the ones that had excellent power early enough to avoid taking punishment.
Against Madrimov, Crawford could be bludgeoned into submission if he fails to knock him out. We’ll likely see Crawford moving nonstop and clinching Madrimov whenever he gets nearly enough to land.
“He will perform on the night. You’ll see the best Israil Madrimov on Saturday, and I believe he’ll do it, but he’s up against a generational great in Terence Crawford,” said Hearn. “Talent, ability, pedigree within the game,” said Hearn when asked what makes him think Madrimov is prepared to fight a talent like Crawford.
Madrimov’s Amateur Pedigree
Madrimov is as ready as he’ll ever be for a fight against Crawford. As an amateur, Madrimov fought over 300 fights and gained more than enough experience to be ready for Crawford.
The guys that Madrimov fought in the amateur ranks were likely better than most of the fighters Crawford has fought in the pro ranks. Crawford’s best was against older fighters exclusively. When he fought the most notable fighters on his resume, they were either old or washed up.
Crawford’s best wins:
Errol Spence: 34
Amir Khan: Past his prime
Shawn Porter: 34
Kell Brook: 34
Julius Indongo: 34
Yuriorkis Gamboa: On the slide
Ricky Burns: Past it
“He’s only had ten fights, but look at his amateur pedigree. Look at the time he’s spent in camp with Joel Diaz. Look at how he’s relocated his life over the last six years,” said Hearn about Madrimov.
Hearn shouldn’t make a big deal about Madrimov’s lack of fight experience because he’s had more than enough amateur fights to give him the experience needed to beat Crawford.
“Look at the people he’s been training with, sparring with. The likes of Dmitry Bivol and those kinds of guys. Ideally, we would have liked another two fights. He just won the title, and he’s never boxed anyone like Terence Crawford before,” said Hearn.
If Madrimov had two more fights, it would not have helped him because none of the guys at 154 fight like Crawford. Vergil Ortz Jr. and Tim Tszyu are come-forward brawlers and wouldn’t help Madrimov gain experience that he doesn’t already have.
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